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Video Games have become such a huge part of so many peoples lives over the past 30 years whether that will be on the phone, on consoles or PC's. If it is something you are interested in then this page has something for you.
DID YOU KNOW?
Did you know? -The UK is one of the top game-producing countries in the world, with a rich history of iconic game development.
-The UK games industry contributes significantly to the country's economy, generating billions of pounds annually.
-Over 2,000 active game companies are currently operating in the UK, ranging from small indie studios to large, internationally recognised developers.
-The UK is home to some of the world's most renowned game development studios, including Rockstar North, known for the Grand Theft Auto series andRocksteadyknown for the Batman Arkham Series.
-The UK games industry supports over 47,000 jobs, spanning various roles beyond just game design.
-The UK hosts numerous game development conferences and events, such as EGXand Develop: Brighton, fostering a vibrant community of developers and industry professionals.
-The UK government offers tax relief incentives for game developers, making it an attractive location for game development.
The UK games industry is highly innovative, often pioneering advancements in virtual reality (VR), augmented reality (AR), and artificial intelligence (AI) in games.
JOBS WITHIN THE INDUSTRY
Game Programmer Writing the code that makes the game work, focusing on gameplay mechanics, AI, graphics, and more. You control how the player interacts with the game on a fundamental level.
Game Artist Creating visual elements such as characters, environments, and textures. This includes concept artists, 3D modellers, and animators. You create the look and feel of the world that the player would inhabit within the game.
Sound Designer Crafting the audio experience, including sound effects, music, and voice acting. The sound design is integral in creating the atmosphere in the game space and give the player that sense of being within the world.
Game Tester (Quality Assurance) Playing games to identify bugs and ensure the game meets quality standards. You are integral in ensuring that the game ships in a good state and with as minimal bugs as there can be.
Game Producer Overseeing the development process, managing teams, schedules, and budgets to ensure the project is completed on time and within scope. Similarly to a film producer you ensure that the game has been shipped successfully and with every team working to the best of their ability.
Narrative Designer/Writer Developing the storyline, dialogue, and script, contributing to the overall narrative experience. The story works in tandem with the art and sound to create a thrilling and engaging story for players
Marketing and PR Specialist Promoting games, handling public relations, managing social media, and engaging with the gaming community. You could be the reason someone chooses to buy your game over another company.
Community Manager
Building and nurturing the player community, handling feedback, and creating engagement strategies. A great community manager really makes an impact with the community and how the company interacts with the community.
User Interface (UI)/User Experience (UX) Designer
Designing the game's interface and ensuring a smooth, intuitive player experience. These are the little touches within a game that make it much more accessible for everyone.
Useful Information
Significant milestones in the history of digital games:
1950s
1952:OXO (or Noughts and Crosses) - Created by Alexander S. Douglas, one of the first computer games, simulating a tic-tac-toe game.
1958: Tennis for Two- Developed by William Higinbotham, one of the earliest known interactive analogue computer games.
1960s
1962: Spacewar! - Developed by Steve Russell at MIT, often considered the first digital computer game.
1970s
1971: Computer Space - The first commercially available arcade game, designed by Nolan Bushnell and Ted Dabney. 1972: Pong- Developed by Atari, it becomes the first commercially successful arcade video game. 1972: Magnavox Odyssey - The first home video game console. 1977: Atari 2600 - Popularised home gaming with interchangeable game cartridges. 1978: Space Invaders- Released by Taito, it becomes a major success and helps expand the video game industry.
1980s
1980: Pac-Man- Developed by Namco, becomes a cultural icon and one of the most famous arcade games. 1981:Donkey Kong- Introduced by Nintendo, featuring the debut of Mario (originally named Jumpman). 1983: Video game crash - A significant downturn in the video game market, largely due to market saturation and poor-quality games. 1985: Nintendo Entertainment System (NES) - Revives the video game industry, with iconic games like Super Mario Bros. 1986:The Legend of Zelda- Released by Nintendo, establishing a new genre of action-adventure games. 1989:Game Boy - Released by Nintendo, popularising handheld gaming.
1990s 1991: Sonic the Hedgehog- Released by Sega, becomes a major competitor to Nintendo’s Mario. 1993: Doom- Developed by id Software, popularises first-person shooters and introduces multiplayer gaming. 1994: Sony PlayStation - Launches, becoming one of the best-selling consoles of all time. 1996: Pokémon- Released for Game Boy, starting a major franchise. 1996: Tomb Raider- Released, featuring one of the first female protagonists in gaming, Lara Croft. 1998:The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time- Released for Nintendo 64, often cited as one of the greatest games of all time.
2000s
2001: Microsoft Xbox - Enters the console market, featuring Halo: Combat Evolved .2004: Nintendo DS - Released, introducing dual screens and touch screen gameplay. 2004: World of Warcraft- Released by Blizzard, becomes the most popular MMORPG. 2006: Nintendo Wii - Introduced motion controls, broadening the gaming audience. 2007: Assassin’s Creed- Released by Ubisoft, popularises open-world adventure games. 2007: Call of Duty 4: Modern Warfare - Popularises modern military first-person shooters.
2010s
2011: Minecraft- Officially released, becomes one of the best-selling games of all time. 2012: Journey- Released, widely acclaimed for its artistic design and emotional impact.
2013: The Last of Us- Released by Naughty Dog, noted for its storytelling and character development. PlayStation 4 and Xbox One - Next-generation consoles are released.
2016: Pokémon Go- Brings augmented reality gaming to the mainstream. 2017: Nintendo Switch - Hybrid console that can be used as both a home console and a portable device. Fortnite- Released, popularises the Battle Royale genre.
2020s
2020: PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series X/S - Next-generation consoles launched, featuring advanced graphics and performance. Among Us- Gains massive popularity during the COVID-19 pandemic, despite being released in 2018. 2021: Valheim- An indie survival game that gains significant popularity.
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